Inside the Poker Mind vs. Psychology of Poker

[skibum]

They are both good books, but they address different topics mostly. POP is a guide to understanding why you and your opponents play in a particular style, and how to change your style and attack theirs. It describes the fundamental psychological characteristics of poker styles, and what that means at the table. It's helpful and insightful, but requires a certain amount of honesty to gain much.

In my mind, IPM is a book to help you integrate the concepts and ideas you've learned by rote into your game. It should help make your play more fluid, and stimulate your thinking along critical paths. It also will turn you onto strategies for furthering your education and developement as a player.

I'd suggest that POP is required reading for beginner's and intermediate level players, whereas IPM is strictly for experienced intermediate's and above.